Toronto Maple Leafs veteran defenseman Mark Giordano sustained an upper-body injury during Thursday's clash against the Arizona Coyotes.
The incident occurred during the first period. The Maple Leafs were in possession and were advancing toward the Coyotes' net. During the play, Giordano got himself slammed into the end of the boards while skating at full pace.
The 40-year-old veteran remained down on the ice and appeared to be in pain after the big hit. Giordano eventually left the contest and was assisted by the team's medical and training staff off the ice.
Following the game, head coach Sheldon Keefe confirmed that Giordano suffered a head injury, the extent of which is unknown at this time (via The Hockey News' David Alter):
"Sheldon Keefe says Mark Giordano has a head injury and doesn’t know the extent of it."
This season, Mark Giordano has notched up seven points through one goal and six assists in 37 games for the Maple Leafs.
However, NHL insider Mike Masters later reported that Giordano had sustained a concussion and would be "out some time". The veteran blue liner will subsequently be placed on injured reserve.
Mark Giordano's NHL stats
Giordano made his way into the NHL as an undrafted player and signed for the Calgary Flames in 2005–06. He spent 15 seasons with the Flames and joined the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2021–22 season, a year after playing 55 games for the Seattle Kraken.'
The 40-year-old veteran defenseman has been with the Leafs for the last three seasons. He has racked up seven points through six assists and one assist in 37 games. Overall, Giordano, in his long 18-year NHL career, has accumulated 575 points through 156 goals and 419 assists.